Revolutionary and defiant in all the right ways, Harley-Davidson has carved its niche in the motorcycle industry since it first opened its doors in Milwaukee in the early 1900s. Over the last century, Harley-Davidson has established itself as an industry titan renowned for building powerful bikes with iconic styling. Stopping at Republic Harley-Davidson, your Katy Harley-Davidson dealer, showcases as much and gives you a front-row seat to the brand’s remarkable impact on the American motorcycle industry.
This impact is most notably linked to the rise of the chopper and the brand’s ongoing work to give riders more opportunities to customize their bikes. But it’s also tied to Grand American Touring bikes like the Road Glide lineup. This family of bikes blends the legendary performance of the Harley-Davidson name with a distinct style and plenty of comforts that give riders more opportunities to discover the open-air freedom that only comes from sitting in the saddle. Here’s everything you need to know about these Grand American tourers that serve as luxurious chariots navigating your next adventure.
Setting the Standard: The Road Glide
The Road Glide sets the benchmark for the Road Glide family, beginning the lineup of long-distance touring bikes. Designed for riders looking for adventure, comfort, and affordability, the Road Glide undeniably rises to the occasion. It immediately distinguishes itself from other Grand American Tourers like the Street Glide with its frame-mounted shark-nose fairing. The fairing and other features, like the upright riding position, floorboards, and infotainment system, are staples across the Road Glide family, laying the foundation for every model from the Road Glide Special to the Limited and ST.
Just as its fairing distinguishes the Road Glide in the Grand American Touring segment, the bike’s Milwaukee-Eight 107 V-Twin engine differentiates it from its Road Glide siblings. The iconic V-Twin engine gives the Road Glide its throaty rumble and crisp throttle response as it churns out 111 lb-ft of torque. Harnessing this power in the 855 lb bike isn’t difficult with the upright riding position and 25.9-inch seat height.
As a touring bike, it’s only appropriate that the Road Glide comes with saddlebags, a plush passenger seat, and a responsive suspension that makes it easy to navigate long distances and ride two-up. For example, the saddlebags offer 2.3 cu.ft. of space that can accommodate travel necessities and other gear. In addition, the easily adjustable rear shocks give you more control over the ride, allowing you to tailor the suspension when you’re riding solo or with a passenger.
Taking It Up a Notch: The Road Glide Special
Thinking of the Road Glide as the entry-level trim positions the Road Glide Special as the next step up in this family of touring bikes. Priced slightly higher, the Road Glide Special lives up to its name and exchanges the base model’s three-color palette for a dozen paint options that include many new two-tone paint schemes for 2022. Riders looking for more opportunities to customize their bikes to their unique style now have that option, with the Road Glide Special offering the most color options in the family.
Beyond its expansive color palette, the Road Glide Special distinguishes itself by its bigger engine. It swaps the Milwaukee-Eight 107 V-Twin for the 114 V-Twin that churns out 118 lb-ft of torque. With enough power to chase the horizon, the Road Glide Special also gives you everything you need comfort-wise. The 853 lb bike is equipped with a passenger seat and stretched saddlebags that offer 2.7 cu.ft. of space and open with the touch of your hand for near-effortless accessibility, a notable upgrade over the slightly smaller bags of the Road Glide.
